eNews | April 16, 2026
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Our Fight is ON for Full Funding, Full Steps!
CSUEU members flexed our political muscle this week dispatching a small army of activists to the state Capitol (April 13-14) to meet with legislators to press for full state funding for the CSU so that we can keep doing our jobs serving students.
Career Staff and Student Assistants joined together for this year's Lobby Day to make sure as workers, our voices are heard. Our advocacy comes at the crucial time when the Legislature starts tackling what gets funded - and what may need cutting - in the state budget.
Tracy Bessey from Fresno State stunned legislators with her powerful story of working for 29 years without any significant salary increases.
Our message to Electeds: Together we are fighting for a 2026 Contract with full steps and a strong first contract for student workers.
Our email campaign to legislators continues! Remember we are important constituents ... and voters!!
>> Check out more images from Lobby Day here.
“Lobby Day is one of the days of union action I am most excited for during the year. I reunite with fellow comrades and leave with new friends. Most importantly, our strong group of CSUEU leaders come together to amplify our united message to the Legislature - full funding for the CSU!. I return to my home campus feeling empowered and motivated to continue the momentum and spread the energy to my chapter.”
- Krisha Algoso, Instructional Support Technician, Chapter President, Channel Islands
Winning Contracts Starts in the Field!
All campuses are gearing up to support our bargaining teams as we finally begin negotiations with CSU management in the coming weeks. Chapter leaders, our bargaining teams and Contract Action Team (CAT) members are fired up and ready to organize “blue” solidarity rallies on every campus for powerful "Bold & Blue" visibility.
What We're Doing
- April 29: Student Assistant bargaining at CSU Long Beach, rallies on campuses statewide
- May 7: Staff bargaining at CSU Northridge, rallies on campuses statewide
- Reach 80% membership on every campus as a demonstration of union strength and power
Members are warming up with a variety of union activities on campuses across the state. Just as hundreds of members turned out for in-person kickoff events last month, we have to keep turning up the heat and SHOW we’re united!
Sign up here to plan and/or join the bargaining kickoff rallies for your campus! And distribute the flyer to encourage other members to join!
REMINDER: We have one more and final virtual Contract Kickoff event on Zoom. Join us on Thursday, April 23 at Noon. Register here.
CSUEU Primary Election Endorsements
All members are encouraged to sign this pledge to elect leaders in California who will fight for us!
Working people know our system is rigged. No matter how hard we work, we never seem to catch up. 2026 is our chance to fight back.
Our vote matters. As workers in Higher Ed, for a university that is publicly funded, who we elect to Sacramento and the U.S. Capitol determines whether the CSU gets the funding it needs to serve students and support its workforce.
CSUEU's 36,000 represented workers are affiliated with SEIU - Service Employees International Union - and we are part of SEIU California, the voice for 750,000 workers across the state employed in education, healthcare, security, and more.
Aspiring leaders seek our union endorsement and we support those who strongly advocate for workers, regardless of their political party. Check out our CSUEU endorsements for the June Primary Election.
Don't Miss Upcoming Steward Trainings
CSUEU Stewards are our worksite leaders who organize, problem-solve, and educate fellow co-workers. There will be four special training sessions in April for Stewards looking to expand their role. Be sure to register for one or all of the trainings below:
Skelly Hearings
Training by Marjeli Lopez
Friday, April 17
Register: Use the Stewards Office Hour link in your email
Recommended for: Stewards ready to take on disciplinary representation.
Open to all Stewards interested in expanding their role.
Weingarten Investigatory Meetings
Training by Vivian Mendoza
Wednesday, April 22
Recommended for: All Stewards to build foundational representation skills.